Beginning My Coaching Journey
Hey, everyone! There isn’t a question wrapped up in this. It’s just an appreciation post!
So, I never played football growing up. It was essentially the only sport I never competed in, and as much as I regret it now, I simply didn’t understand how much I would grow to love it.
I attended a major SEC school and enjoyed football casually as a fan, but something shifted around my junior year of college. I bought one of the older Madden games, and despite its considerable pitfalls, I started learning strategy from it. I would sit in practice mode and run reps of gap and zone runs, check the alignments of defensive coverages, observe the line block different fronts…and I took notes.
I took that interest to the live sport. I attended my SEC team’s games while writing on a literal notepad in the stands like a weirdo. I tracked personnel groups and tendencies to the best of my ability. I started watching NFL all-22 film. I found old playbooks online and tried (emphasis on “tried”) to understand Sabanese pattern match coverages. I lurked on this Subreddit for years and learned as much as possible from y’all.
Somewhere in that mix, my wife (bless her) finally got tired of me pausing the TV all Saturday and said, “You know what? You should try coaching.” Well, I took her advice.
I’m assisting an 8U program that’s running the good ole double wing! I’m already having a fantastic time. I’m learning many of the fundamentals that film and books couldn’t teach me and that I never experienced as a player. Most importantly, I’m having a blast with the kids! I take care of really sick kids for my day job, and interacting with them outside of that environment has been so emotionally healthy for me.
We all start somewhere. This is my beginning, and y’all have been and will continue to be an important part of that journey. Thank you. :)